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Envirobytes
EnviroBytes, a Summary of Issues and Events for Week Ending February 15, 2008
BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT EDUCATIONAL FORUM TAKES PLACE IN PHILADELPHIA
EPA co-sponsored the Northeast Brownfields Development and Property Transaction Forum held Feb. 12 at the Philadelphia Marriott Hotel in conjunction with the International Council of Shopping Centers. Developers, retailers, property owners and redevelopment agency representatives learned about Brownfields redevelopment, its financing methods, incentives, and regulatory environment. Property transactions took place as buyers and sellers and others searched the market for availability of brownfields properties ready for productive reuse.
EPA TO APPROVE MAJOR REVISIONS TO THE N. VIRGINIA INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE (I/M) PROGRAM
EPA is proposing to approve revisions to Virginia’s vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) program as noted in the Feb. 12 Federal Register. Among other revisions, Virginia is seeking approval to incorporate diagnostic computerized checks of 1996 and newer vehicles (including testing of passenger diesel vehicles) as part of its emission inspection process. I/M programs ensure that vehicles pass emissions inspections, and receive proper maintenance to reduce nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compound emissions that cause ground level ozone pollution. For more information on EPA’s I/M programs, go to http://www.epa.gov/reg3artd/vehicletran/vehicles/vehicle_emissions_testing.htm
CLEAN AIR CONFERENCE TACKLES GLOBAL WARMING
EPA staff attended the National Association of Clean Air Agencies conference in Crystal City, Va. to define the role states and localities can play in the development of effective federal global warming legislation. Four key issues were discussed: Preserving the right of states and localities to set more stringent greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction requirements; the role they can play in implementing a federal GHG reduction program; the role they can play in a federal allowance program and in determining how funding is distributed and; their role in data management under a federal climate change program. For more information, go to http://www.4cleanair.org/documents/GWConferenceMaterials.pdf
EPA staff attended the National Association of Clean Air Agencies conference in Crystal City, Va. to define the role states and localities can play in the development of effective federal global warming legislation. Four key issues were discussed: Preserving the right of states and localities to set more stringent greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction requirements; the role they can play in implementing a federal GHG reduction program; the role they can play in a federal allowance program and in determining how funding is distributed and; their role in data management under a federal climate change program. For more information, go to http://www.4cleanair.org/documents/GWConferenceMaterials.pdf.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CENTER PROJECTS TO HELP LOCAL SCHOOL REACH DESIRED GREEN DESIGNATION
Teachers from Meade Heights Elementary School in Ft. Meade, Md. toured EPA’s Environmental Science Center at Fort Meade to survey its laboratory facilities, its rain garden and bluebird trail to learn how to establish projects that can gain Meade Heights a “Maryland Green School” designation. The school is planting a butterfly garden in May, building bluebird houses, creating a bluebird trail, decorating and distributing rain barrels and stenciling stormdrains in and around Ft Meade. Green school environmental projects can include landscaping, raising and releasing Diamond Back terrapins, growing oysters, starting a stream erosion prevention program, and creating an outdoor classroom.
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY MEETING TO PROMOTE GREEN CHEMISTRY PRACTICES
The November 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) meeting in Philadelphia will take place Nov. 16-21 at the Philadelphia Marriott and the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The conference to promote green chemistry practices is funded by a Source Reduction Assistance grant from EPA Region 3 and Headquarters’ Pollution Prevention program. This is a unique opportunity to address an audience from the chemical industry that uses large amounts of energy, water, land and chemicals. High-level chemical industry decision-makers will chair sessions along with academics from the chemical engineering field across the country. For more detailed information, go to www.aiche.org/Conferences/AnnualMeeting/index.aspx
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